Μετάφραση 
A Historic Monastic Treasure of Spirituality and Byzantine Art
Stavronikita Monastery, ranked 15th among the monastic institutions of Mount Athos, is perched on a rocky cliff 50 meters above the eastern coast of Athos. It celebrates its feast day on December 6th in honor of Saint Nicholas.
The monastery's origins are shrouded in mystery, with multiple theories regarding its foundation. The most plausible suggests that its name derives from the monks Stavros and Nikitas. Historical records first mention Stavronikita as a monastic cell in a document from 1012 by Protos Nikiforos, with another reference in 1153. The monastery’s history remains unclear for several centuries until 1533, when it was initially under the control of Koutloumousiou and later Philotheou Monastery. During this period, it suffered attacks and looting by Crusaders.
In 1533, Gregory Ghyromeriatis purchased the monastery, fortified it with defensive walls, and initiated extensive construction. His work was later completed by Patriarch Jeremias I, who declared Stavronikita a patriarchal and stavropegic monastery. Today, both Gregory and Jeremias I are honored as co-founders of the monastery. Following a devastating fire in 1607, the monastery was rebuilt from the ground up.
Architectural Highlights & Artistic Heritage
The Katholikon (main church) was built in 1456 by Patriarch Jeremias and completed in 1546. That same year, the renowned Cretan School iconographer Theophanes adorned its interior with exceptional frescoes. One of the monastery’s most treasured artifacts is the 14th-century mosaic icon of Saint Nicholas “Stridas”, named after a miraculous event involving an embedded oyster shell (στρείδι).
The refectory, renovated in 1780, features remarkable frescoes also attributed to the Cretan School. Stavronikita Monastery includes six chapels, four monastic cells in Karyes, and 44 hermitages (kalyves) in the Kapsala region.
Library & Treasury
The monastery’s library houses 58 parchment manuscripts, including the precious Evangelistarium No. 46, two rare silk-bound codices, three parchment scrolls, and numerous printed volumes.
The sacristy contains an extraordinary collection of relics, liturgical objects, embroidered vestments, and icons. Among them is the gold-embroidered icon of Saint Nicholas, alongside several portable icons, with the Saint Nicholas "Stridas" icon standing out as the most revered.
Each day, 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox male pilgrims are admitted for a three-night stay in one of the peninsula's 20 monasteries. Clergy and those who have a special invitation from the monasteries are excluded. Because of the small number of non-orthodox permits issued, if you are planning to visit Mount Athos you should run the necessary procedures the earliest possible. Women are not allowed to enter Mount Athos by law, and there is a penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment for those who break it. Boys were not allowed in the past, but the policy has become more flexible over the years, and now boys can come if they're accompanied by an adult - usually their father.
To enter Mount Athos a permit is required for both individuals and groups. The permit is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate of Churches or by the Ministry of Northern Greece. Orthodox Greeks can apply by producing their identity card at the Athos Bureau in Ouranoupolis on the right side of the port. Diamonitiria (permits to stay as a pilgrim) are issued by the offices of the Athos Bureau, at Ouranoupolis. In order to get their diamonitirion visitors must show their identity cards and pay the sum of €25 for Orthodox visitors, €35 for non-Orthodox visitors or €18 for students. Foreign visitors also need a passport; if you are Orthodox but not Greek, you will need to prove this with a letter from a priest or a baptismal certificate. Foreigners can send an e-mail to athosreservation@gmail.com a photocopy of the request along with their passport. Once you have secured your accommodation, you will need to contact the monastery that you wish by sending a letter to the guest request.
Once in Agio Oros, you can travel around. The hospitality at the monasteries is provided free of charge. Bed and board are offered to the holders of the permit. If you are planning to visit Mount Athos you should bring with you long sleeved shirts, long trousers, flashlight, athletic shoes and a flashlight. Bear in mind that the monastery doors close by sunset. Mobile phones and photo cameras are allowed, but DO NOT photograph the monks. Video cameras are not allowed. Swimming in the sea or listening to loud music is not allowed either. Follow the ritual during lunch and dinner. Everyone, visitors and monks enter the dining room and stand upright in front of their seat. The Abbot prays, gives his blessing, a bell sounds, and everyone sits down to eat without talking to each other. A monk reads ecclesiastic texts and in about 20 minutes the bell sounds for the second time. If you have or you have not finished eating, you must get up, the abbot prays and after he finish you can get out of the dining room.
The Mount Athos Pilgrims’ Bureau- Athos
Official Office
109 Egnatia str,
54635 Thessaloniki
Tel. for nationals +302310252575 Tel. for foreigners +302310252578 Fax +302310222424
Thessaloniki office hours: Monday-Friday 09:00 – 14:00, Saturday: 10:00 – 12:00
GPS Coordinates 40.26816, 24.27747
